The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by the appearance of a number of ambitious historical novels by irish writers, including joseph o connor s star of the sea 2004, which enjoyed both critical and commercial success internationally as well as in ireland. Its a beautiful, layered and dense read, set against the lofty sails of a. Star of the sea summary and analysis like sparknotes free book. Welcome, everybody, on this very sunny afternoon to what i know is going to be a really wonderful event. Star of the sea book by joseph oconnor thriftbooks. Reimagining irish history in roddy doyles a star called henry and joseph o connor s star of the sea. The aran islands appeared recently on the cover of the new york times magazine green, quaintly barren, and lined with stone walls. In the bitter winter of 1847, from an ireland torn by famine and injustice, the star of the sea sets sail for newyork. Posts about joseph oconnor written by patrick lonergan. Dec 11, 2018 joseph oconnors 2004 star of the sea pushes the boundaries of the epistolary genre, its experimental form rejecting the reliable narration of a conventional structure to attempt a fragmented portrayal of the irish famine in 1847. Inside the life and death all in the family star carroll. The star of the sea joseph oconnor by maureenmcmichael issuu.
Film music prague festival produced star trek concert which was a celebration of 50th anniversary of this franchise. Its a complete reworking, not just of the 19th century disaster that was the famine, but of the naval. The irish potato famine of the 1840s was the greatest social catastrophe of 19th century europe, yet inspired surprisingly little imaginative writing. The turn towards historical fiction occurred as ireland experienced an unprecedented economic boom accompanied by rapid social.
By declan okelly, assistant editor february march 2008. Jul 02, 2015 moonfish theatre codirectors mairead ni chroinin and ionia ni chroinin are joined by joseph o connor to talk about their adaptation of his epic novel, star of the sea. His 2002 historical novel star of the sea was an international number one bestseller. Dec 09, 2016 essay on star of the sea, what kind of man is lord kingscourt 2093 words 9 pages. Our lady, star of the sea a translation of the latin stella maris is the blessed virgin mary in her aspect as a guide and protector to those who work or travel on the sea and under which title she is venerated in many catholic seaside communities. Inside the life and death all in the family star carroll oconnor. Star of the sea by joseph oconnor book club discussion. Like dracula, it records a dastardly mystery of murder and vengeance which the characters investigate.
Jan 25, 2003 star of the sea by joseph oconnor 436pp, secker. His books include the novels ghost light, cowboys and indians shortlisted for the whitbread prize, desperadoes, the salesman, inishowen, star of the sea, and redemption falls. An unmissable piece of irish theatre, star of the sea was a sellout hit at the galway international arts festival where it premiered in 2014. Joseph oconnor was born in 1963 eldest of four children raised in dublin. An evening with joe oconnor and colum mccann irish america. I feel passionate about and joseph o connors star of the sea is one of those books. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. It is a piece of historical fiction that presents a vivid picture of a grim, hopeless time. This study will focus its analysis on the texts complex structure and its.
Buy books and get all the latest news, information, event listings, biography, media resources and much more about joseph here. Lord merridith and his family board the titular ship in 1847, bound for new york, leaving behind an ireland devastated by famine and strife. Indeed, oconnor dedicates almost two chapters of the book to the art. Look carefully at the different forms the narrative. Joseph oconnors 2004 novel star of the sea, set on a transatlantic coffinship. At the beginning of joseph oconnors early novel, cowboys and indians, eddie.
Author joseph oconnor spoke to hazel croft about its success and why he wrote the book. Star of the sea also toured internationally in 2017. The audience doesnt appear to mind doubtless its the success of the star of the sea that has the elmwood. As part of the fall program at the dorothy and lewis cullman center, oconnor and mccann, both former cullman fellows, were there to discuss redemption falls, oconnors novel about the american civil war, an. She will consider the challenges of building international research networks and explore the opportunities and themes for research collaboration. If there is a sparknotes, shmoop, or cliff notes guide, we will have it.
Only when you can reclaim the past without either shame or nostalgia are you really free of it, which is one reason why star of the sea is to be acclaimed. Its a beautiful, layered and dense read, set against the lofty sails of a famine ship. Joseph oconnors star of the sea and the travelling memory. The star of the sea is a coffin ship, ploughing from britain to america with a freight of evicted irish scarecrows in steerage and a sprinkling of. Star of the sea, a great political novel set at the time of the irish famine, has been a runaway bestseller. But this is not the usual irish potato famine fare you might expect. This international bestseller about generations of men who go to sea and the women and children they. Joseph oconnor, star of the sea, star of the sea themes and. The irish famine of the 1840s was the greatest social catastrophe of 19thcentury europe, yet inspired surprisingly little imaginative. Find all available study guides and summaries for star of the sea by joseph oconnor. Oct 06, 2012 joseph o connor talk to ryan about one inaccuracy in star of the sea that one reader wrote to him about.
Essay on star of the sea, what kind of man is lord kingscourt 2093 words 9 pages. Assignment 1 star of the sea by joseph o connor is a text set during the irish potato famine, in 1847. In star of the sea, however, the young irish novelist joseph oconnor not only vividly conjures up the memory of the disaster out of which modern ireland was born, but produces an acutely contemporary piece of experimental fiction disguised as a quaint victorian historical novel. Star of the sea became an international bestseller, winning the irish post award for literature, and frances prix millepages, italys premio acerbi, and the prix madeleine.
Among them are a maid with a devastating secret, the bankrupt lord merridith, his wife and children. Modernity, gender, and the nation in joseph oconnors star. In the book star of the sea, written by author joseph oconnor, he states they had far more in common than either realised. Compare how america is depicted in star of the sea and how it is diversely understood by the main characterswith how you think america is perceived today, both at home and abroad. Star of the sea, a daring novel by irish author joseph o connor, is an engrossing tale of many parts. Star of the sea by joseph o connor essay 1478 words. The turn towards historical fiction occurred as ireland experienced an. Comment on how each of the epigraphs relates to this novel. Please see the supplementary resources provided below for other helpful content related to this book.
More than that, i hope it also celebrates the solidarities which fill life with joy. In writing this novel oconnor has managed to write a piece of work that is an education in itself, star of the sea speaks to us about the enmeshed histories of england, ireland and america, and a lesson on the evils of serfdom and exploitation. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of star of the sea by joseph oconnor. A guide to star of the sea by joseph oconnor for book clubs. Another reason is that oconnors supple, richly textured, faintly archaic prose, which draws on an irish tradition of scrupulous verbal craftsmanship. And its one of the examples of, one of the reasons why i. The epistolary form and trauma in the star of the sea. Joseph o connor is a talented writer who has delivered a rollicking good story. I was aware that while the novel is based real events surrounding the lives of bram stoker author of dracula victorian actormanager henry irving and leading actress of the day ellen terry, but many liberties had been. Even though we know from the first chapter that there will be a murder on board the ship, joseph oconnor keeps us in suspense right to the end of star of the sea. Reimagining irish history in roddy doyles a star called henry and joseph oconnors star of the sea. Star of the sea interview with joseph oconnor and moonfish. At the heart of joseph oconnors star of the sea 2002, a novel which addresses the great irish famine of 18458, is the question of how to represent an emotionally and politically fraught memory of. Anyumocz 40 pcs starfish white resin pencil finger sea star for wedding party christmas, home and craft project.
Joseph oconnor has lived in new york and london, for a short time in nicaragua, and now lives in dublin, ireland with his family. Find all available study guides and summaries for star of the sea by joseph o connor. Who is telling this story or, more aptly, these stories. Star of the sea, written by joseph oconnor, is a piece of prose which describes a commercial boat voyage that is travelling over rough, open seas. In the bitter winter of 1847, the star of the sea sets sail from ireland for new york. Also, discuss whether and where the bookwithinabook structure enhances the novels key themes and ideas. Author joseph o connor spoke to hazel croft about its success and why he wrote the book. Joseph o connor talk to ryan about one inaccuracy in star of the sea that one reader. Jul 03, 20 the star of the sea joseph o connor download here. Oconnors new book, star of the sea, is about a ship sailing from england in 1847 to new york. Grantley dixon, an american journalist traveling home to.
An enjoyable read but not a book that bowled me over. It is a miserable november, the cold seeming worse because of the great famine that has stricken the country. Nevertheless, in star of the sea joseph oconnor manages to achieve a real sense of the tragic, as personal dramas of the most distressing kind play themselves out against the background of the irish potato famine and the almost equal nightmare of the mass emigration that it caused. Litcharts from the creators of sparknotes, something better. Joseph oconor is an overlooked writer in my opinion he completely captures the era which this book depicts. Click to read more about the salesman by joseph oconnor.
I first of all want to remind you all that this is a writing centre initiative that started some time ago. Star of the sea is a 2004 historical fiction novel by joseph oconnor. With star of the sea, joseph oconnor achieved an astounding. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. His work has been published in thirty languages, and he also writes for the stage and screen. This historical novel is a devastating portrayal of the enormous emigration after the famine in ireland in 1847. It helps if you are irish or had irish parents so you can identify with the themes in the book an aging irish actress living in london reflecting on her life while it becomes obvious to us that she has fallen deep into the bottle. Set in the time of the great famine in ireland, it tells the story of those individuals aboard the star of the sea as they travel towards the promised land of america. Joseph oconnors 2004 star of the sea pushes the boundaries of the epistolary genre, its experimental form rejecting the reliable narration of a conventional structure to attempt a fragmented portrayal of the irish famine in 1847. Oconnor was born in new york city in 1924 as the eldest of edward joseph oconnor and elise patricia oconnors three sons. Moonfish theatres bilingual english and irish language adaptation of joseph oconnors novel star of the sea. What do we know of the narrator at the outset, and what do we come to learn about him. Joseph oconnor, author of star of the sea and redemption falls, talks about his new novel, ghost light, the irish diaspora, and why he doesnt write historical fiction. Star of the sea begins with four introductory quotations, or epigraphs.
Joseph o connor award winning irish author official website. Apr 20, 2004 joseph oconnor s star of the sea is a gripping story set on a new yorkbound ship filled with hundreds of refugees fleeing the irish potato famine in 1847. Joseph oconnors star of the sea and the travelling. He lives with his wife and two sons in dublin, ireland. Joseph oconnor was born in 1963 and has written thirteen books, most recently the novel star of the sea, which sold a million copies around the world. Star of the sea by joseph oconnor, random house uk. I cried my eyes out reading this book and ive been told i dont have a heart so kudos to mr. The star of the sea, joseph oconnors best selling 2002 novel, casts a literary shadow over tonights talk. Doc reimagining irish history in roddy doyles a star. But moonfish is an ambitious company that has a knack for deconstructing and rebuilding deftly. Modernity, gender, and the nation in joseph oconnors. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of joseph oconnor s star of the sea. Joseph o connor s 2004 novel doesnt exactly beg for the stage. This is the height of the irish potato famine and the ships passengers include a variety of aristocratic and.
Set in the winter of 1847, it chronicles the transatlantic voyage of a ship of refugees striving to escape irelands potato famine by migrating to the united states. Im uncomfortable with the idea of a novel being about anything the book club author on the magic of music, the irish in england, the thrill of it all as an. A guide to star of the sea by joseph oconnor for book. At the heart of joseph oconnors star of the sea 2002, a novel which addresses the great irish famine of 18458, is the question of how to represent an emotionally and politically fraught memory of the past in novel form. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of joseph oconnors star of the sea. Irish novelists joseph oconnor and colum mccann enthralled an audience at the new york public library on november 14.
Star of the sea is a historical novel by the irish writer joseph oconnor published in 2004. I loved joseph oconnors star of the sea and ghost light and was really excited to pick up a hard copy of shadowplay. Oconnor brilliantly combines historical fact with poetic fiction as a number of unique personalities journey from ireland to new york on the star of the sea, one of hundreds of vessels carrying irish passengers to a hopeful new life in america. Star of the sea by joseph oconnor books the guardian. The epistolary form and trauma in the star of the sea hothouse. Joseph oconnor s star of the sea is a gripping story set on a new yorkbound ship filled with hundreds of refugees fleeing the irish potato famine in 1847. But neither was the greatest difference between them. Star of the sea was written by joseph oconnor and published in 2004. Star of the sea became an international number one bestseller, selling more than 800,000 copies in a year. Before success as an author, he was a journalist with the sunday tribune newspaper and esquire magazine. The novel is set in 1847 against the backdrop of the irish famine. Star of the sea by joseph oconnor bibliofemme bookclub. To ask other readers questions about star of the sea, please sign up.
Joseph oconnor s impressive historical novel, star of the sea, examines the unsettled personal tragedies among a group of interrelated characters and their difficulties in disregarding the past. Jan 23, 2011 by joseph o connor in the bitter winter of 1847, a ship named star of the sea sails from ireland, bound for new york. He earned a ba and ma in english and history at university college, dublin, followed by postgraduate research at university college, oxford and lived in london until 1996. This was followed by a packed tour nationwide tour in 2015, then a second national tour in 2017 due to popular demand. Star of the sea is a historical novel by the irish writer joseph o connor published in 2004. Conflict is inevitable, but oconnor is more interested in the complexity of history and relationships and how each makes reinvention and resolution. An taibhdhearc, galway joseph oconnors 2004 novel doesnt exactly beg for the stage. O connor brilliantly combines historical fact with poetic fiction as a number of unique personalities journey from ireland to new york on the star of the sea, one of hundreds of vessels carrying irish passengers to a hopeful new life in america. Star of the sea by joseph o connor essay 1478 words 6 pages. Sites like sparknotes with a star of the sea study guide or cliff notes. It is a historical fiction novel that chronicles the voyage of a famine ship from ireland to. Joseph o connor s impressive historical novel, star of the sea, examines the unsettled personal tragedies among a group of interrelated characters and their difficulties in disregarding the past.
Jun 26, 2003 joseph oconnor has lived in new york and london, for a short time in nicaragua, and now lives in dublin, ireland with his family. Jan 12, 2012 star of the sea, written by joseph o connor, is a piece of prose which describes a commercial boat voyage that is travelling over rough, open seas. On board are hundreds of refugees, some optimistic, many more desperate. Joseph oconnor talks about historical inaccuracies and star. Look carefully at the different forms the narrative takes e. James kincaid in the new york times commented, this is a brave and artful novel disguised to appear safe and conventional. The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by the appearance of a number of ambitious historical novels by irish writers, including joseph oconnors star of the sea 2004, which enjoyed both critical and commercial success internationally as well as in ireland. Despite discussing his latest book ghost light and his recent foray into writing for radio, all questions seem to lead back to the richard and judy book club nominee. Nevertheless, in star of the sea joseph o connor manages to achieve a real sense of the tragic, as personal dramas of the most distressing kind play themselves out against the background of the irish potato famine and the almost equal nightmare of the mass emigration that it caused. Although it is written from as a third person narrative the prose primarily focusses on one man. Star of the sea summary and analysis like sparknotes.
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